Any clearly noticeable scratching on the face or back of the card. Scratching on Played cards may show white on non-foil sides of cards or silver on foil sides of cards.
Any bends in the card that do not crease the card. Frequently these come from cards being stored in three-ring binders or any storage where pressure is being applied to a certain area of the card.
Any minor shuffle creasing from the top, side, or bottom of the card. Shuffle creasing that moves more than 15% top-to-bottom or 20% left-to-right reduces the card grade to Heavily Played.
Any clearly noticeable border wear that is in more than a few small, isolated areas. Whitening on the card border is acceptable as Played condition unless it is very significant.
On the foil sides of cards, noticeable silvering visible on the card's borders are graded Played.
Any number of slightly bent or compressed corners, or multiple minor instances of corner wear on two or more corners.
Light or minimal whitening on the back of the card, inside the borders.
A small amount of dirt appearing on the front or back of the card.
A small amount of water damage appearing on the front or back of the card, most frequently on a small area on the card border.
Any pattern on the card back or front from being in a warm plastic card sleeve/binder page. These can also appear on card when too many cards have been placed into the same compartment in a binder for an extended period of time.
Cards that have a curve to them. Cards that are flat in a sleeve are considered Near Mint, and not Played.
Foil cards are given slightly more leeway, especially older foil cards. Moderate curving will still be considered Played.
Any misprint/defect that is large or very noticeable. Misprints or defects that appear to significantly damage the card would grade Heavily Played.
We do not sell cards that are signed or stamped online. Stamped cards and cards that would normally be Near Mint but are signed by the original artist or Richard Garfield are purchased at Played buylist pricing.